Everything But The Truth (18 page)

Epilogue

Peyton bundled her blanket-wrapped daughter close to her breasts and breathed in her newborn scent. She placed a tender kiss on her forehead and savored the feel of her soft breath. Less than an hour old, and they’d already formed a bond.

“Oh, Reeve, isn’t she beautiful?”

“Yes,” he said with pride. “She looks just like her mother.”

Smiling, she said, “Are you sure you don’t mind if we call her Amy?”

“Not at all. I think that’s a perfect name for her.”

“Amy,” she said to herself. It suited her. “Were you able to reach Jane?”

He nodded. “She’s waiting outside with Kevin. They’re both anxious to see you and the baby.” He looked at Dr. Barnes and the nurse who had just finished with her. “Can they come in now?”

“Sure,” the doctor said, stripping the latex gloves from his fingers and tossing them into the trash. “But just for a few minutes. Then we’ll need to take Amy and weigh and measure her.”

Walking to the door, Dr. Barnes opened it and said, “C’mon in, you two.” Then, with his nurse trailing behind him, he left them alone.

In jeans and a pony-tail, Jane looked ten years younger than when Peyton had first met her. She’d cleaned up her act, finished her last year of high school, and was now working as a cashier in a drug store in Albany, where she was originally from. In a few months, she’d be taking business courses at a local college. She’d also met a young man whom she was crazy about, and they’d been dating for nearly six months now. He didn’t give a hoot about her past.

Seeing the infant in Peyton’s arms, Jane covered her mouth with her hand and gasped. “It’s so teeny.”

“She,” Peyton said.

“Yes!” Grinning, Jane looked at Kevin. “You owe me a buck. I told you you were gonna get a sister.”

Kevin frowned and moved closer to his father. Reeve settled his hands on his son’s shoulders.

“What’s her name?” Kevin asked Peyton without much enthusiasm.

“Amy,” she said. “Amy Jane.”

Jane clasped her mouth again, then dropped her hands to her sides. “Really? That is so cool.” She elbowed Kevin. “Isn’t that cool?”

“I guess so,” he conceded with a small smile.

“You saved my life, Jane. Twice, in fact. If it weren’t for you, little Amy Jane wouldn’t be here.”

Shaking her head, Jane’s eyes filled with tears. “No, you’re the one who saved my life.” She sniffed. “This is so cool.”

Peyton studied Kevin. “What’s the matter?” she asked. “You don’t look very happy to see your new sister.”

He glanced up at his dad, then shrugging, looked back at her. “I thought maybe you’d have a boy.”

“Oh,” Peyton said. “You think we should send her back then?”

His face turned pink. Moving a little closer, he peered down at Amy. “Nah. I guess she’s okay.”

Peyton breathed a sigh of relief. “Would you like to hold her?”

His eyes shot up. “Can I? I mean…is it okay?”

“Of course, it’s okay. She’s your sister.” Raising her eyes to meet Reeve’s, he seemed to know what she wanted.

“Here,” he said, moving to the bed. “Let me help.” He took the baby from her arms and helped settle her in Kevin’s arms. “Be careful to support her head.”

“I know,” Kevin said with confidence. “Tim Riley’s mom just had a baby, and Tim told me everything I need to know.”

Peyton and Reeve smiled at each other.

“You know,” Kevin said, “I was thinking.” He met Peyton’s eyes. “Amy’s probably gonna call you mom, isn’t she?”

Swallowing, Peyton said, “She’d better.”

“Well,” he said, “she might get confused if I’m calling you Peyton.”

Tears blinded her eyes and choked her voice. “I never thought about that.” She looked up at Reeve who nodded and smiled.

“So,” Kevin said, “I thought…maybe…I should call you mom too…if that’s okay with you?”

She gulped hard, the tears slipping down her cheeks, and nodded. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

A word about the author...

Debby Conrad has been spinning tales since junior high school, when she would force her younger sister and a few close friends to listen to her fantasies and dreams. Back then she had no idea her silly tales would end up in print, or that her later dream of becoming a novelist would come true.

Debby lives with her husband in Erie, Pennsylvania, has two grown daughters, a Chihuahua and a miniature Dachshund that is anything
but
a miniature.
Everything But The Truth
is her third published novel.

You can reach Debby at www.debbyconrad.com.

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